Aussie PM John Howard stands by his comments on Senator Obama

I noted on Saturday the comments Australia’s Prime Minister John Howard had on the possibility of Senator Barack Obama getting elected president in 2008. To recap:

In a strongly worded foray into US politics today, Mr Howard said an Obama victory in the presidential election would be disastrous for the war on terrorism.

“I think he’s wrong. I think that will just encourage those who want to completely destabilise and destroy Iraq, and create chaos and a victory for the terrorists to hang on and hope for an Obama victory” Mr Howard said on Channel 9.

“If I were running al-Qaeda in Iraq, I would put a circle around March 2008 and be praying as many times as possible for a victory not only for Obama but also for the Democrats.”â€¦

Mr Howard said the US could not win the Iraq war before March 2008, so an Obama victory would mean defeat for America.

“If America pulls out of Iraq in March 2008 it can only be in circumstances of defeat” Mr Howard said.
“There’s no way by March 2008, which is a little over a year from now, everything will have been stabilised so that America can get out.

Here’s the video:

Obama, of course, if elected wouldn’t start serving until Jan 2009, but the PM’s point was understood. So well understood that not only has Obama responded critically, but Australia’s Labor party is trying to have Howard censured for his comments about the Senator from Illinois. Howard, however, is not backing down:

Prime Minister John Howard has spent Question Time defending his statement that Al Qaeda would be praying for US Democratic Party hopeful Barack Obama to win the presidential election.

Mr Howard has criticised Senator Obama, who is seeking the Democratic nomination, for calling for US troops to be out of Iraq by next March.

Opposition Leader Kevin Rudd has accused Mr Howard of acting against Australia’s interest.

“That great party, the Democratic Party of the United States, this Prime Minister has said effectively is the preferred party of terrorists,” he said.

Mr Howard has refused to apologise.

“If America is defeated in Iraq, the consequences for the West will be catastrophic,” he said.

Mr Rudd says Mr Howard has been grossly insensitive by lecturing US presidential candidates, but a censure motion against the Prime Minister was defeated on party lines.

Mr Howard says it is true that his words have been scrutinised around the world, but he says he has not damaged Australia.

“I don’t apologise for criticising Senator Obama’s observation because I thought what he said was wrong,” he said.

Keep on keepin’ on, Mr. Prime Minister!

Hat tip: Gateway Pundit, who has more links on this story.

Update: Via Pajamas Media, here’s a short video of Howard’s response to the criticism of his remarks from the Aussie Labor party:

14 Responses to "Aussie PM John Howard stands by his comments on Senator Obama"

Lorica says:

February 12, 2007 at 8:02 pm

Bravo Mr. Prime Minister!!! You are absolutely correct. An early American pull out would be catastrophic for the west. Don’t think so, well ask the Christian country of Turkey, ohhh that’s right it is Islamic now. Albania use to be a Christian country. It’s not now. A Democrat win in 2008, will be a loss for the rest of the United States. I still believe that the troop surge will root out the terrorists in Baghdad, and that we will be able to be at peace there. If I were a good Dem, I would watch this garbage saying how we can’t win and we need to pull our troops out. The alternative is when we do win, I can kiss my political career good bye, well maybe not with the present Dem voters. Seems to me that constantly telling our troops they can’t win is a slap in the face and it really isn’t supporting the troops. – Lorica
stackja says:

February 12, 2007 at 8:42 pm

Obama by the words he uses, is a drongo, that is an Australian word which means a thoughtless or unintelligent person. While John Howard is calling a spade a spade. Obama is a Dem from Illinois, D-Ill which is a dill, that is another Australian word for a fool or idiot. Obama should stop acting like a drongo-dill but being a Dem he cannot help himself.
Marshall Art says:

February 12, 2007 at 9:55 pm

“Mr Rudd says Mr Howard has been grossly insensitive by lecturing US presidential candidates…”

I wonder if he’d feel the same if Howard ripped on Bush.
Flopping Aces says:

February 13, 2007 at 1:53 am

The Centrist Barack Obama?

So Barack Obama tells the Iowa State University that every soldier who has died in Iraq fighting for this country was a waste: Of course the soldiers over in Iraq don’t think the same thing. But what do they know…
Lorica says:

February 13, 2007 at 1:25 pm

Of course not Marshall. Ripping on Bush is an international past time, seconded only by soccer. – Lorica
Lorica says:

February 13, 2007 at 1:27 pm

Let me add this. PM Howard is very much afraid that a Democrat win in 2008 means he stands alone of the super powers or near super powers. I can understand his fear, and pray that some people wake up. – Lorica
NC Cop says:

February 13, 2007 at 3:10 pm

I’m voting for Howard in 2008!!!!

You’re absolutely right Lorica, but I do feel that Howard is correct in saying that the situation won’t be completely stabilized in a few months. I think it was a big mistake for the Bush administration to start talking about results in a few months, because if it doesn’t happen he’s going to be in a world of trouble. I think this is the last chance for Bush and Iraq (although I don’t think it should be), if they dont have significant results by end of summer, it may be over.

Of course not Marshall. Ripping on Bush is an international past time, seconded only by soccer.

Yeah, just ask the Dixie chicks. 5 grammy’s!!!!!!!! Puh-lease.

Also, I’m gonna e-mail Olberman and tell him that instead of signing off by saying “It’s the 1,045th day since Pres. Bush declared Mission accomplished!” he should start saying “It’s the 30th day since the newly elected Congress promised a “new strategy” for Iraq”.

Whaddaya think?
Lorica says:

February 13, 2007 at 6:51 pm

Honestly, I fear that the surge is the last ditch effort on Bush’s part. If this doesn’t turn out well I believe he is going to declare Iraq hopeless and give into the lefties. I do believe that the surge will work, I have seen the plan, and it looks good, and even early reports are encouraging. Let’s hope the Iraq Military can keep up their end. – Lorica
stoo says:

February 13, 2007 at 10:18 pm

That may be, Lorica — but it’s already working spectacularly.

Ed Morrisey blogged about Muqtada al-Sadr having fled Baghdad, and is currently hiding in Teheran.
NC Cop says:

February 13, 2007 at 10:27 pm

Ed Morrisey blogged about Muqtada al-Sadr having fled Baghdad, and is currently hiding in Teheran.

Wow, that would be good news!! I hope it’s true.
Lorica says:

February 13, 2007 at 11:23 pm

That is what I am hoping for Stoo. – Lorica
Great White Rat says:

February 14, 2007 at 9:49 pm

I’m headed to Australia on business on March 4, and plan to personally thank every Aussie I find who voted for PM Howard’s party.

Geez, I wish he could be president here…
libhomo says:

February 15, 2007 at 1:40 am

A foreign leader is meddling in US elections. That offends and outrages every patriotic American, regardless of partisan offiliation.
Great White Rat says:

February 16, 2007 at 10:01 am

A foreign leader is meddling in US elections.

Nonsense. Howard is doing nothing more than speaking his mind about an election two years away. That’s not medddling.

It’s funny – when the French, the UN, heck, even al Qaeda urge people to vote Democrat, you libs never had a problem about that. Why is that?? Hmmm??

Now if you want real meddling, you had China pumping millions of dollars – dollars, not words – into a presidential csmpaign here. I’m sure that really bothered you. Oh, wait….it was the 1996 Clinton campaign they were helping. So of course you didn’t object.

Suggestion: based on that last post, change your handle to ‘libhypocrite’.

Comments are closed.